(Northeast TN and Southwest VA) March 24, 2020 - Seven United Way organizations announced today the launch of a regional taskforce of local United Ways coming together to support efforts to combat effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic with the launch of the Northwest Tennessee Southwest Virginia Relief Fund.
The regional taskforce includes United Way of Bristol TN/VA, United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County, United Way of Greater Kingsport, United Way of Greene County, United Way of Hawkins County, United Way of Southwest Virginia, and United Way of Washington County Tennessee.
Together, the United Ways announced a goal of $1.9 million and collectively put $100,000 from emergency contingency funds from the combined organizations. Lisa Cofer, Executive Director of United Way of Bristol TN-VA said, “Our board has acted quickly, along with the other regional boards, to designate these emergency funds quickly so that they can in turn be used by our community partners who are on the front lines of this global crisis.”
Collectively, the United Ways are striving to raise 19% of the $1.9 million COVID-19 Relief Fund in the first 19 days. “Time is of the essence in helping meet the immediate needs due to the impacts of the pandemic,” said President and CEO of United Way of Washington County, TN, Kristen Spear.
An online electronic fundraising campaign allows people to donate to support the efforts of the United Ways of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia to donate to the response efforts to the pandemic. If you’d like to make a gift, you can text NETNSWVARelief to 41444. Givers can also make donations at www.NETNSWVARelief.org, or by mailing their gift to United Way, Regional COVID-19 Relief Fund, P.O. Box 644, Abingdon, VA 24212. If a check is being mailed, please be sure to write in the memo section if the donation is designated to the regional effort.
Both immediate and long-term, the relief efforts will focus response efforts on vulnerable populations, including children, families, and the ALICE population. ALICE, an acronym coined by United Way that stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed represents men, women, and families who work hard and earn more than the official Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living. Danelle Glasscock, Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Kingsport said, “We are committed to helping our communities with long-term recovery efforts in the days to come following this global crisis.”
Along with the regional taskforce, a regional advisory council comprised of donors to the fund, business and nonprofit organizations, and health and human service agencies will combine efforts to develop the response strategy of the deployment of these resources. United Ways of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia will form strategic public-private partnerships with community organizations to meet the needs of individuals affected.
Travis Staton, President and CEO of United Way of Southwest Virginia stated, “As an organization dedicated to fighting for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our region, we recognize the impact this virus is making on our communities, but we also recognize the toll it will take on the financial and economic well-being of every person in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.”